The Maltese Islands
Malta,
Gozo and Comino; Manoel Island which is bridged to Gzira, and four other uninhabited
Islets, Cominotto, Filfla, St. Paul and Fungus Rock (also called General’s Rock). Situated in the middle of the Mediterranean,
60 miles South of Sicily, and 179 miles from the North African coast (Tunisia). Alexandria lies to the East, while Gibraltar to the West.
Settlers
The first Neolithic people to settle in Malta came from Sicily around 5200 -
4000 BC. Then, the islands were greener with flowing waters and wild animals roamed the land.
Rulers in Malta-BC :
Phoenician Rule 800-480BC, Greek Influence 700-600BC,
Roman Rule 218BC.
Phoenicians 1000BC, Greeks 700-600BC, Carthaginians 480-218,
Romans 218BC.
Rulers in Malta-AD:
Arab Rule 870-1090, Norman Rule 1091-1194, Swabian Rule 1194-1266,
Angevin Rule 1266-1283, Aragonese Rule 1283-1412, Aragonese and Castillian Rule 1214-1530.
Arabs 870AD, Normans (Count Roger of Hauteville 1090). Roger
II son of Count Roger 1091.
Knights of St. John 1530-1797
Knights of Jerusalem 1530 (GM Philippe
Villiers de l'lsle-Adam and later Jean Parisot de la Valette).
French Occupation 1798-1800
France (Napoleon 1798).
British Period 1800-1964
England ruled Malta from 1803 King George III to 1964 Queen Elizabeth II.
House of Hanover – KGIII 1760-1820, KGIV 1820-1830, KWIV
1830-1837, QV 1837-1901.
House of Saxon – Coburg & Gotha - KEVII 1901-1910.
House of Windsor - KGV
1910-1936, KEVIII Jan-Dec 1936, KGVI 1936-1952, QEII 1952-1964).
They all left their mark in Malta.
Independence 1964-1974
Malta became self-reliance
in 1964 (Independence).
Republic of Malta 1975-2004
Malta became Republic
in 1975.
E.U.M.S. 2004-
In 2004 Malta became a European Union Member State.
National name:
Republic of Malta, with a President and Prime Minister. Colours: White and Red with the George Cross Award. Area: 122 sq miles. Population
398,534 approx.
Co-ordinates:
The Maltese Islands fall within the
following co-ordinates: Northern Latitude 36o00'00" Eastern Longitude 14o36'00"
Facts:
Capital: Valletta.
Monetary unit: Euro Currency January
1, 2008.
Official Languages: Maltese and English. Italian, French and
German are also spoken. Religion: Roman Catholic 98%
Literacy rate: 93%.
Malta is also a Member of Commonwealth of Nations.
Revised -
January 29, 2008